Greek white-ground lekythos, Athens, c.430-400 BC
Terracotta
Height: 21.5cm; diameter: 6.9cm
11826 IVP
$ 6,000
White-ground lekythos decorated with black slip, the sharply offset shoulder and neck reserved, the funnel mouth in solid black glaze, a reserved band around the lower part of the lekythos...
White-ground lekythos decorated with black slip, the sharply offset shoulder and neck reserved, the funnel mouth in solid black glaze, a reserved band around the lower part of the lekythos which is otherwise in a sold black glaze, outer edge and underside of the thick disc foot reserved, the central band showing the scene with a white ground. On the body, set on the opposite side to the arching handle, is a single female figure in thick drapery, a himation falling from her right shoulder and slung over her right forearm. Both arms reach forwards, the left proferring a mirror, the right a fillet with tassels and a short inscription. She has long wavy hair which falls down her back. A meander pattern above. Recomposed from several fragments, two lacunae made up. The underneath of the foot with collector's number inscribed in ink 'I - 89'
Such Lekythoi were created for burial offerings and were used in funeral ceremonies. Their narrow necks and cup-shaped mouths were designed to dispense small amounts of expensive oil without dripping.The term 'white-ground' describes a decorative technique in which the surface of the vase was coated with a slip that turned white during firing. Figures were then drawn on this pale background, primarily in black but other colours such as red, yellow, blue and purple could also be added. Because these pigments were fragile and prone to fading over time, the method eventually became used solely for decorating funerary lekythoi.
Such Lekythoi were created for burial offerings and were used in funeral ceremonies. Their narrow necks and cup-shaped mouths were designed to dispense small amounts of expensive oil without dripping.The term 'white-ground' describes a decorative technique in which the surface of the vase was coated with a slip that turned white during firing. Figures were then drawn on this pale background, primarily in black but other colours such as red, yellow, blue and purple could also be added. Because these pigments were fragile and prone to fading over time, the method eventually became used solely for decorating funerary lekythoi.
Provenance
Victor Emile Gabriel Chevallier (1889-1969) and his wife Marguerite Jeanne Verel (1887-1962), France; listed as no.89 in their inventory
Mr. X, France; by descent from the above in 1969, thence by descent again through two estates
